The Most Common Heating Problems and When to Fix Them
The adage rings true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It's especially true when it comes to your heating systems. Regular maintenance can help you prevent a variety of HVAC heating problems while improving your energy efficiency, enhancing air quality, and extending the lifespan of your equipment.
If you haven’t kept up with servicing your HVAC system at least once a year, heating problems are more likely to occur. If an issue does arise, it’s important to know when to fix your heater and when to call the experts. Read on to learn about the five most common heating issues, the possible reasons for them, and when to seek out a solution.
Furnace Won’t Turn On
One of the most common HVAC heating problems occurs when it seems that the furnace is not working. If your furnace simply isn’t turning on, there could be several reasons for this, including a thermostat malfunction or a tripped circuit breaker.
If you’re experiencing this issue, start by checking the batteries in the thermostat and making sure the power to the furnace is on at the circuit breaker. At that point, if the issue persists, be sure to contact an expert right away so they can determine why the furnace is not working and quickly fix the issue.
Uneven Heating or Cold Spots
Another common heating issue is uneven heating or cold spots. Here, the root cause could be clogged or leaky ductwork, poor insulation, or dirty air filters, but it’s also possible that a faulty blower motor could be the culprit.
If you’ve checked your vents for obstructions and you’re still experiencing a significant difference in the temperature between rooms, it’s time to consult with a heating technician to diagnose the issue and fix it sooner rather than later.
Strange Noises Coming from the Heater
Even if you haven’t noticed any issues with temperatures or heating comfort, if you’re hearing unusual noises coming from the heater, it could be an early warning sign of a larger HVAC problem.
Often, these sounds can be caused by loose parts like screws or ducts in the system or an airflow obstruction, but they can also potentially signal a problem with the heat exchanger. Either way, if the noises are loud and persistent, it’s important to call a specialist and seek out a timely solution.
Inconsistent Heat or Short Cycling
Another frustrating heating issue occurs when you’re not getting a steady stream of heat and/or the heater is turning on and off repeatedly for short periods. If you’re experiencing this problem, it could be caused by a dirty or clogged filter that is causing the system to overheat and turn off before reaching the target temperature.
Other potential culprits could include a faulty flame sensor or an ignition problem. If your heater appears to be working for a short period, then suddenly shuts off for no apparent reason, it’s time to consult an expert and get the issue addressed.
Heater Blowing Cold Air
You might find that while your heater appears to be working, it’s blowing only cold air—there’s no actual heat being produced by the system. If this is happening, the thermostat might mistakenly be set to a “cool” setting, or there could be an issue with the pilot light, the flame sensor, the ignition, or even the gas supply.
If you’ve double-checked that your thermostat is set correctly and the furnace is still blowing cold air, be sure to get the problem checked out by a specialist and fixed promptly.
While regular maintenance can help to prevent most heating issues, if you’re experiencing an HVAC heating problem, it’s important to know when to fix the heater and where to go to seek out timely repairs. At Mechanical Solutions, we specialize in providing superior HVAC service for our clients.
Our team of skilled and certified technicians provides everything from simple repairs and preventative maintenance to change-out equipment and long-term HVAC system solutions designed to reduce energy costs and system downtime. If you need help with your heating, be sure to contact Mechanical Solutions today.